Riding on the wave of Ableton's intrinsic MIDI Stretch feature, Fractional Stretch 1.0, developed by stev, augments your creative prowess by introducing a highly customizable MIDI transformation tool that has the potential to reshape rhythmic innovation as we know it. Enhanced with modes like Fraction, Decimal Fraction, BPM Shift, and Decimal, this ground-breaking tool goes beyond dyadic stretching by allowing MIDI stretching using both whole and decimal figures. You can now manipulate rhythms in turned-up ways to explore temporal modulations like never before.
One of the key features of Fractional Stretch lies in the various modes it offers its users. The Fraction mode enables you to stretch your MIDI by fractions designated with whole numbers. On the other hand, the Decimal Fraction mode stretches MIDI by fractions assigned with decimal numbers, offering finer control over the stretch. For those who wish to convert from one BPM to another, BPM Shift is an absolute game-changer. Moreover, the Decimal mode expands Live's built-in stretch function with an extended range, creating new avenues for sound design and rhythmic experimentation.
But there is more to Fractional Stretch than its stretching modes. The tool provides enormous flexibility in determining the midpoint for stretching. You can choose the first note, the last note, or bring into play the 'Pick' button to set a specific note as the focus of your stretch. You can even opt to designate a specific beat number as your stretching center point. These options liberate you from any restrictive stretching norms and promote rhythmic exploration on a profound level.
Fractional Stretch 1.0 facilitates this experience within the framework of Ableton Live 12, encouraging users to venture further into unchartered waters in terms of rhythmic creation and experimentation.
Being part of the Heap MIDI Tools 1 bundle, Fractional Stretch 1.0 embodies affordability and utility in one package, making it an essential component in any artist's toolkit. With its inception, it has become easier than ever for artists to discover progressions and beats that would have otherwise remained elusive.
To ensure you can leverage the full potential of this ingenious device, be sure to check out its home on Heaps of Bleeps Audio's website. You can find it on this link: https://www.heapsofbleepsaudio.com/
In the ever-evolving world of electronic music production, tools like Fractional Stretch are worthy investments. Its sophisticated yet intuitive design, coupled with the versatility it provides, makes it invaluable for electronic music artists intending to spice up their rhythmic palette in Ableton Live.
Looking forward to stretching your musical boundaries? Fractional Stretch 1.0 is available at: https://maxforlive.com/library/device/10659/fractional-stretch. Grab your version today and let the MIDI transformation adventure begin!
Example Usage
Imagine you've just crafted a MIDI clip in Ableton Live featuring a simple 4/4 kick drum pattern that you want to give a new twist. You’re new to the world of polyrhythms and want to experiment without having to manually adjust notes. This is where Fractional Stretch 1.0 comes into play.
First, you’ll need to install Fractional Stretch 1.0. Once installed, follow these steps to transform your MIDI clip:
- Drag the Fractional Stretch 1.0 device from your Live Device browser into a MIDI track containing your kick drum pattern.
- With your MIDI clip selected, look at the Fractional Stretch device you’ve added. You’ll see various options for stretching, including 'Fraction', 'Decimal Fraction', 'BPM Shift', and 'Decimal'. Since we are beginners, let's start with the 'Fraction' option.
- Before you stretch your MIDI pattern, take a look at the center point options. Let’s keep it simple and use the "1.1" option, which means the stretching will start right from the first note of your clip.
- Now, set the numerator (top number of the fraction) to '3' and the denominator (bottom number of the fraction) to '4'. This will shorten the clip to 75% of its original length, effectively creating a 3:4 polyrhythm.
- Hit the 'Stretch' button on the device. Listen to your clip. Your steady 4/4 kick pattern now plays as a polyrhythm against the original tempo of your track, providing an entirely new feel without any complex MIDI editing!
As a new user, this will immediately demonstrate the power of Fractional Stretch 1.0 and inspire you to further explore rhythmic variations that can add creativity and complexity to your music. Happy experimenting!
Today, let's explore the capabilities of Fractional Stretch 1.0 by Stev and dive into how you can utilize its unique stretching functions to inject polyrhythmic life into a simple MIDI clip in Ableton Live.
Imagine creating a drum pattern in 4/4 time signature, with a straightforward kick-snare structure. It's functional, but you want to layer in some complexity to make it interesting. Here's what you can do:
- After programming your basic drum pattern, add Fractional Stretch 1.0 from your Max4Live devices onto a new MIDI track.
- Route the output of your drum track into the Fractional Stretch track. To do this, set the 'MIDI From' to your drum pattern track and enable 'In' monitoring on the Fractional Stretch track.
- Now let's focus on polymetric stretching to tilt the rhythm off its conventional axis. Click on 'Fraction' mode and input a fractional value, let's say '3/4'. This function will shorten your pattern to 75% of its original length in a musical manner.
- To maintain the original pattern length but shift the accents, create a duplicate of your original pattern right next to the shortened one. Now every bar will sound slightly different as the two play in sequence, creating a polymetric feel.
- Experiment further with 'Decimal Fraction' mode to achieve non-standard rhythmic values. For example, setting a value like '1.333' can create a stretched pattern that creates unexpected syncopation when combined with the original loop.
- For more experimental artists, play around with the 'BPM Shift' mode. Assign the BPM of your session (e.g., 120 BPM) and then set a target BPM (e.g., 90 BPM). This will stretch the MIDI data to fit the new tempo, offering a method to experiment with polytempic structures when layered with other elements at the original BPM.
- Utilize the 'Center Point' function to anchor the stretching to a specific part of the pattern. If your loop has a specific rhythmic hit that you want to maintain its position, use the 'Pick' button to select this note, then apply the stretch. Everything else will move in relation to this anchor, maintaining rhythmic focal points.
In your DAW, don’t forget to hit the 'Save' button on the Fractional Stretch 1.0 interface to lock in your settings, and if you're feeling creative, automate the fraction values over time to create evolving polyrhythms that keep listeners on their toes.
Using Fractional Stretch 1.0 not only transforms a simple MIDI pattern into a complex, engaging rhythm but also opens up new creative pathways in your production process without needing to manually program intricate MIDI patterns. It's especially useful for genres that thrive on rhythmic diversity, like techno, IDM, or experimental electronic music. Experiment with the different modes and functions to discover how this powerful Max4Live device can transform the rhythmic landscape of your music.
Further Thoughts
In the world of MIDI manipulation, Fractional Stretch 1.0 stands out as a robust tool for those seeking to delve deep into the realms of rhythmic experimentation. Let's create a sophisticated use case where we utilize this Max4Live device to craft a complex polyrhythmic sequence that intertwines multiple time signatures.
Imagine we're working on a piece that fuses electronic textures with world music influences, aiming for a soundscape that is both hypnotic and dynamic. We have a MIDI clip with a straightforward 4/4 beat comprising of a kick, snare, and hi-hat, but we want to imbue it with an unconventional rhythmic structure to give it a unique edge.
Step 1: Insert Fractional Stretch 1.0 into the MIDI track containing our basic drum pattern.
Step 2: Create a polyrhythmic relationship between our existing 4/4 pattern and a 5/4 time signature by selecting the 'Fraction' mode. Set the fraction to '5/4' to stretch our MIDI clip to a length that allows for a 5/4 polyrhythmic layer to be superimposed upon our standard 4/4 beat.
Step 3: Clone the original MIDI track to preserve the 4/4 pattern, then apply the Fractional Stretch effect on the duplicated track to maintain the relationship between both rhythmic structures.
Step 4: Using Fractional Stretch's 'Pick' feature, designate the start of the 1st note as the 'center point' for the stretch to ensure that our pattern begins at the correct point in the timeline. This approach maintains the kick drum's position as the driving force behind our fused signature.
Step 5: To add texture and complexity, we can manipulate the hi-hat notes separately. Duplicate the original 4/4 MIDI track again and isolate the hi-hat. Using the Decimal Fraction mode, experiment with stretching by values such as '4.75' to create a subtle drift in the hi-hat pattern, crafting a sense of movement within the rhythm.
Step 6: Introduce polymetric variation by adding another drum sound, like a conga, to a separate track. Use the BPM Shift mode to transform the pattern from our original track's BPM to a BPM that correlates with a 7/8 time signature through the stretch. This overlay adds an additional rhythmic layer that seems to weave in and out of the primary beat.
Step 7: With each stretched layer in place, finesse the mix and pan settings to provide each percussion element with its spatial context, reinforcing the polyrhythmic texture we've created.
By harnessing the power of the Fractional Stretch 1.0 device, we've transformed our straightforward 4/4 drum beat into a complex, interlocking rhythmic masterpiece that invites listeners into a sonically rich and texturally diverse auditory experience. The flexibility of the stretching modes enables an unparalleled level of creativity, allowing the blending and bending of time signatures that traditional MIDI tools could never achieve.